Universal remote control chair

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a universal remote control chair that includes a chair portion with an armrest to accommodate a user, an embedded remote control embedded in the armrest, one or more entertainment systems that are controlled by the embedded remote control and a communications eye that puts the embedded remote control in communication with all of, any one of or any combination of the entertainment systems. The entertainment systems include all of, any one of or any combination of television, satellite, cable enabled television, AM/FM radio, VCR, CD and DVD entertainment systems. The communications eye utilizes infrared signal, ultraviolet signal or wireless signal technology to put the embedded remote control in communication with all of, any one of or any combination of the entertainment systems.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

Conventional television remote controllers are often lost or misplaced, forcing the potential television viewer to spend needless time searching for the remote. Having multiple remotes in a single location can cause a living area to appear cluttered and untidy.

The present invention generally relates to a chair. More specifically, the invention is a chair with a single universal remote control.

It is an object of the invention to provide a chair and a built-in stationary television remote that ensures that the remote is always close at hand and readily accessible when needed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a remote control chair that eliminates lost remote controls, prevents damage to the remote and lights up for easy use in a dark environment.

It is an object of the invention to provide a remote control chair that offers a universal remote for use with TVs, VCRs, CD and DVD systems.

What is really needed is a chair and a built-in stationary television remote that ensures that the remote is always close at hand and readily accessible when needed, that eliminates lost remote controls, prevents damage to the remote and lights up for easy use in a dark environment and that offers a universal remote for use with TVs, VCRs, CD and DVD systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a remote control chair, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of a remote control of a remote control chair, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a remote control chair 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The remote control chair 100 includes a chair portion 110, an embedded remote control 120, a communications eye 130 and one or more entertainment systems 140.

The chair portion 110 can be any type of chair, such as a relatively large single chair 112 with a relatively large amount of cushioning for comfort, a love seat, sectional portion of a sectional couch arrangement or a sofa (both not shown) or other suitable type of chair. The embedded remote 120 is disposed within an armrest 114 of the chair portion 110 and controls all of the functions of a universal remote for a television, a satellite, a cable enabled television, an AM/FM radio, a VCR, a CD, a tuner and a DVD entertainment system 140. The embedded remote 120 can control all of, any one of or any combination of the television, satellite, cable enabled television, AM/FM radio, VCR and DVD entertainment systems 140. Additional details regarding the embedded remote control 120 are described in FIG. 2 and its description. The communications eye 130 puts the embedded remote 120 in communication with all of, any one of or any combination of the entertainment systems 140 utilizing infrared signal, ultraviolet signal or wireless signal technology or any other suitable technology. The entertainment systems 140 include all of, any one of or any combination of television, satellite, cable enabled television, AM/FM radio, VCR and DVD entertainment systems.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front perspective view of an embedded remote 200 of a remote control chair 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The embedded remote 200 includes a casing 210, a door 220, a plurality of number buttons 230, a plurality of volume and channel buttons 240, a plurality of universal buttons 250, a battery 260, a plurality of screws 270, a communications system 280 and one or more microchips 290.

The casing 210 is made of plastic or metal material or any other suitable material. The door 220 is hinged or can be any other type of suitable door and be covered with the same material as the chair portion (FIG. 1, 110). The number buttons 230 are whole numbers 0-9 although other suitable numbers can be utilized. Volume and channel buttons 240 include a plus button 242 and a minus button 244. The plus button 242 increases the channel or volume and the minus button 244 decreases the channel or volume. Universal buttons 250 control the various entertainment systems (FIG. 1, 140) that the embedded remote 200 is in communication with and include a television 251, a satellite 252, a cable enabled television 253, an AM/FM radio 254, a VCR 255, a CD 256, a tuner 257 and a DVD 258 system buttons as well as a menu button 259.

The battery 260 can be one or more batteries of any type such as AA batteries, AAA batteries, lithium batteries or any other suitable type of battery. There is also a battery life button 261 that stays lit 1 second after any button is pressed. Screws 270 can be any type of screw or other type of suitable fastener. Communications system 280 can be a plurality of wires 282, a bus 284 or a printed circuit board (PCB) 286. Microchips 290 can be any type of microchip suitable for controlling and programming the embedded remote 200. The embedded remote 200 also lights up for approximately five seconds after pressing any button thereby visually assisting users when the environment is dim or dark.

The remote control chair is a battery powered programmable remote control with internal wires and microchips that is installed inside the armrest of a chair or couch. The embedded remote control chair is concealed with a hinged door that is fastened to the upper surface of the armrest with a lid covered with fabric that is identical to the chair. The numeric buttons of the remote control chair measure ½″×¼″ and are ¼″ apart and the outer portion or casing is comprised of hard plastic. The battery housing for the remote is located beneath the controller and can be accessed by unscrewing and removing the tray. The remote control chair can accommodate most types of interior chairs including sectionals and love seats.

The remote control chair is programmed to operate as a universal remote for television, satellite, cable, AM/FM, VCR, CD and DVD systems. The design of the remote control chair features a keypad that lights up for five seconds after pressing any button, thereby visually assisting users when the environment is dim or dark. The remote control works like any typical remote control but is embedded into the armrest and is covered with a hinged door with the same fabric or material that is utilized on the chair.

When guests are visiting the home of a user of the chair, the chair's design makes it inconspicuous so the surroundings would not seem cluttered with multiple remotes, insuring that any remote is always nearby and readily accessible when needed. This helps to reduce the possibility of losing a remote underneath couch cushions or under other surrounding furniture and having the user search for the lost remote.

To improve battery life of the battery utilized by the remote control chair, a battery life button would stay lit for 1 second after a button is pressed and the eye for the remote would be relatively wider to pick up signals that should be out of range. The remote control chair would be well suited for a person who watches a lot of television and is a “couch potato” or for a person who only occasionally watches television. The battery housing for the remote is located underneath the control and could be accessed by unscrewing and removing the casing and is powered by two AA batteries, although other suitable batteries can also be utilized.

The outer casing of the remote control is made of hard plastic, although other suitable materials can also be utilized. The number buttons are ½″×¼″ and are ¼″ apart. The channel and volume buttons are ½″×¼″ and DVD, VCR, cable TV, satellite TV, tuner, CD player and AM/FM radio control buttons are ½″×¼″ in dimension, although all of the buttons can be other suitable dimensions.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. 

1. A universal remote control chair, comprising: a sofa with a large amount of cushioning, said sofa includes an armrest to accommodate a user; an embedded remote control embedded in said armrest, said remote control includes a casing, a door, a plurality of number buttons, a plurality of volume and channel buttons, a plurality of universal buttons, a battery, a plurality of screws, a printed circuit board and one or more microchips to control and program said embedded remote control, said casing lights-up after pressing any said button, said door is a hinged door that is covered with a same material as said chair portion, said universal buttons control said entertainment systems and include a television button, a satellite button, a cable enabled television button, an AM/FM radio button, a VCR button, a CD button, a tuner button and a DVD button, said universal button includes a menu button and a battery life button; a television, a satellite, a cable enabled television, a AM/FM radio, a VCR, a CD and a DVD entertainment system that is controlled by said embedded remote control; and an ultraviolet signal communications eye that puts said embedded remote control in communication with said entertainment systems.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. The chair according to claim 1, wherein said casing lights-up approximately 5 seconds.
 7. The chair according to claim 6, wherein said casing is made of a selected one of plastic and metal.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The chair according to claim 1, wherein said number buttons are whole numbers 0 through
 9. 10. The chair according to claim 9, wherein said number buttons are approximately ½ inch by ¼ inch.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The chair according to claim 11, wherein said volume and control buttons are approximately ½ inch by ¼ inch.
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. The chair according to claim 14, wherein said battery life button stays lit approximately 1 second after any said button is pressed.
 16. The chair according to claim 1, wherein said volume and control buttons are approximately ½ inch by ¼ inch.
 17. The chair according to claim 14, wherein said battery is one or more lithium batteries.
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled) 